Global Governance areas of interest include Geopolitics and Religious Soft Power: In the Cases of China, United States and Nigeria,  China – Africa Relations, South Korea-Africa Program, and BRICS and Global Governance 


   ABOUT THE GLOBAL GOVERNANCE DIVISION 



Scholars have used the term “governance” to denote the regulation of interdependent relations in the absence of overarching political authority, such as in the international system. It encompasses the institutions, policies, norms, procedures and initiatives through which states and their citizens try to bring more predictability, stability, and order to their responses to transnational challenges. While the importance of global governance has been acknowledged, we are witnessing the increasing need to manage global problems more effectively in the face of increased interdependence.  One of the key drivers of the recent transformation of international politics and the transition towards multipolarity some scholars argue is the emergence of BRICS.


This program will assess the impact of Trumpism on global governance. Although Trump II poses an even greater challenge than Trump I, we argue that the continued decline of global governance and the resurgence of traditional (great) power politics that does not respect institutional constraints is not inevitable. Rather, the rise of Trumpism may also act as a catalyst for the innovative adaptation of global governance arrangements, enabling more effective responses not only to a rapidly evolving political landscape but also to emerging governance challenges. The impact of Trump II will ultimately depend on how major powers that support global governance institutions respond.




GLOBAL GOVERNANCE PROGRAMS

Geopolitics and Religious Soft Power:  In the Cases of China, United States and Nigeria


Religion continues to hold significant influence in today’s world, impacting individuals’ values, actions, choices, and worldviews across all continents. Its pervasive presence is undeniable, shaping the way people perceive and interact with the world around them. It is a significant source of basic value orientation for individuals and groups of people in developed and developing countries, and this can have social and political connotations. Today, there is no doubt that religions are one of the factors that increasingly contribute to the shaping and conditioning of international relations. Religion, as a cultural element of soft power, plays a crucial role in shaping the strategic considerations of foreign policy. This research will focus mainly on three countries which include the United State, China, and Nigeria.

China Africa Relations


Africa- China relations also referred to as Sino-African relations, Afro-Chinese relations and China- Africa relations, are the historical, political, economic, military, social, and cultural connections between China and the African continent.  The research in this division will focus on China – South Africa Relations, Belt and Road and Infrastructure Development, Trade and Tariff’s, China and Poverty Alleviation.

China – South Africa Relations
 
China is South Africa's largest trading partner and has held this position for 16 consecutive years. Bilateral trade between the two nations reached approximately US$38.5 billion in 2025, driven by China's demand for raw materials and the import of manufactured goods

China and South Africa maintain a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the New Era," with China being South Africa's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. As of April 2026, a new agreement grants South African exports, including agricultural goods and minerals, duty-free access to China, boosting economic ties and investment in sectors like mining, technology, and renewable energy.  Both nations emphasize Global South cooperation, aligning on geopolitical issues through platforms like BRICS.


                                                The Belt and Road and Infrastructure Development


The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) also known as the One Belt One Road (OBOR) and sometimes called the New Silk Road is a global infrastructure and economic development strategy of the government of China.  The BRI is central to Chinese foreign policy, promoting trade connectivity and China's leadership role in global affairs. As of 2025, participating countries account for nearly 75% of the world's population and over half of global GDP, based on aggregated membership and international economic datasets.


 The initiative is widely described as having the potential to enhance global trade, connectivity, and economic growth, particularly in developing economies.

Under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has built thousands of kilometers of roads, railways, and ports, significantly reducing Africa's infrastructure deficit but raising debt and local labor issues.  Consequently, China is a major financier of African infrastructure, committing over US$37 billion to urban projects (2000–2021) and leading initiatives in transport, energy, and digital networks.  Key projects include the $25 billion Lapset Corridor connecting Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, the Kribi Deep Sea Port in Cameroon, and the Lagos airport upgrades.


                             China Zero-Tariff Policy in Most African countries


Starting May 1, 2026, China will implement a zero-tariff policy on almost all products from 53 African nations, excluding Eswatini.  The tariffs target 98% of taxable goods, aimed at easing access for African commodities and manufactured goods into the Chinese market.  The tariffs are designed to strengthens economic partnerships under the Belt and Road Initiative and aims to fix the trade imbalance, although some critics note Africa primarily exports raw materials.

The tariffs include South Africa, aimed at balancing trade. While many exports (like iron ore) are already duty-free, this move eliminates tariffs on manufactured and agricultural goods. Conversely, South Africa has recently imposed anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese structural steel to protect local industries.  In a separate action, South Africa's International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) imposed duties on Chinese structural steel, citing "dumping" (selling below cost) that harmed local manufacturers like ArcelorMittal South Africa.


China and Poverty Alleviation



The focus on poverty alleviation in this program will be on China and South Africa, over the past four decades, China has lifted over 800 million people out of extreme poverty, accounting for roughly 75% of global poverty reduction. This was achieved through rapid economic growth, targeted, tailored policies, and mobilizing millions of officials to support rural areas.  Poverty alleviation in China was economic driven.  Economic development, such as promoting agricultural modernization, tourism, and e-commerce, was used to create jobs in rural areas. By the end of 2020, China declared that all 98.99 million rural residents living below the current poverty threshold had shaken off poverty, eliminating absolute poverty.

South Africa on the other hand, tackles poverty through one of the world's most extensive social assistance systems, providing over 17 million grants (child support, disability, old age) covering roughly one-third of the population. While mitigating extreme poverty, these measures are supplemented by free basic services, education, and skills training to address high unemployment and deep structural inequalities.  South Africa faces various challenges with poverty alleviation. Approximately 23 million South Africans live in poverty, with the highest rates in KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, and the Northwest.  The aim of this project is to draw best practices from China for consideration in South Africa.

  South Korea- Africa Program


South Korea-Africa relations are strengthening, anchored by the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit, focusing on trade, critical minerals for technology, and development assistance. South Korea pledged $10 billion in development aid by 2030 and $14 billion in export credits, targeting energy, infrastructure, and technology transfer, with South Africa serving as its largest trading partner on the continent.

South Korea also has an interest with maritime security.  Africa's eastern coast, specifically the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, is crucial for South Korea's energy imports (80% of oil passes through these routes), making maritime security a top concern.  In regard to trade, South Korea's trade with Africa remains low compared to its global total statistics.  South Africa is South Korea’s largest African trading partner, and South Korea is South Africa’s fourth largest Asian trading partner.

South Africa and South Korea on the other hand, maintain strong, strategic bilateral relations established in 1992, anchored in a partnership that spans trade, technology, and development. South Korea is a major trading partner in Asia for South Africa, which in turn acts as a key market and gateway for Korea in Africa.

BRICS and Global Governance Program


The current global governance system established after WWII known as Bretton Woods has gradually evolved over the decades.  However, the central challenge by emerging countries was that global institutional framework for dealing with contemporary global challenges does not match the scope and nature of 21st century global challenges such as poverty alleviation, just energy transition and infrastructure development
The BRICS Program is a GSNC project dedicated to conducting, coordinating, facilitating and managing multidisciplinary BRICS-related policy research, is designed to ensure that its research contributes towards policies for immediate, concrete impact on the strategic economic, social and geo-political policies of the country.
The key question that will be dissected throughout the next three years is whether the BRICS play a decisive role in shaping global governance.  The BRC will determine strategies and prospects for the BRC to accomplish its objectives in the next decade